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Basics: How to Contour

9:00 AM

Happy weekend everyone! Today I wanted to share another "Basics" tutorial that I've gotten several requests for over the years. For some reason, I never got around to making a contouring how-to before but I finally have one here for you today!

Contouring is one of those tricky topics because it is a very basic element to makeup artistry and yet, it's often an advanced step for the average woman to apply to her daily makeup routine. Maybe you have never thought of doing it for years and maybe, one day, you take the bronzer plunge and get ridiculously obsessed and can't imagine life without Bronzer and completely fall deeply in love with its sexy face-enhancing abilities and never look back! (This has happened before, am I right my bronzer-lovin' ladies?)

Yes, this rather simple method to making your face look slimmer without plastic surgery, dieting, exercise, or great lighting is a wonderful trick to have for any "looking extra awesome" occasions especially when you know you will be in the spotlight where a lot of photos will be taken. Check out the video below!

To see as a quick guideline, here is an illustration of the basic areas that I contour. If you think about how sunlight would naturally hit your face, contouring falls where the shadows are so by adding darkness we are in essence bringing out the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.

The biggest tip I can give with any contouring is to use a light hand, especially around the nose area. You can always add more if it doesn't show up enough but it is much harder to hide when you've added too much and your nose starts to look dirty instead of slim, sleek, and naturally straight! Also, blend, blend, blend out any harsh edges so it really looks like shadow and isn't distracting.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and that it helps for those of you who were interested in contouring. I really want to make doing these basics lessons a priority since it seems to be one of the most helpful types of tutorials I've done so let me know in the comments if you like them and what basic you'd like to see next!

Readers, are you a regular contourer or bronzing newbie? What is your favorite bronzer? Let me know in the comments!

I don't personally feel like contouring is a "need" either but I do notice a marked difference especially in photos when I do contour so it's nice to know how to do it! You can always test it out on a non-important experimental makeup night by taking selfies/selcas. :)

Instead of following the line of your nose, you can literally create a shadow that will make your nose look a bit straighter! Just make the contour line go straight from the front even if your nose shape curves. My nose is a little crooked too so this trick is a good thing to keep in mind. ;)

will you do tips on makeup for dry skin? i'm trying to find good foundation/concealer for my skin but it always end up a bit cakey because of my dry skin. I do use moistrizers and it's fine at first, but always end up cakey after a few hours.

Have you tried using setting sprays? There are a few that are hydrating like MAC Fix+ that can "refresh" and rehydrate your face throughout the day, and also removes the powdery look after using setting powders too!

I emailed you a long time ago about the round lenses that you had on your youtube page. I just saw your blog again and I love that you did the contouring! There is a very cheap contouring compact that I have found to love. I have found it was hard to find a dark enough bronzer without it being really shimmery. E.L.F makes a REALLY great contouring palate that has blush and bronzer. it stays on your skin all day and you lasts forever! you should definitely try it and see how you like it. It is about $3 I believe at walmart, target, etc.

another great video!! I'm going to go home and try your techniques. My Sigma Paris palette arrived yesterday. You look amazing in the photos (as per usual) and your shade triomphe is a triumph!!. Peace and Blessings.

Hi Jen! Great tutorial!!!I was just wondering, would you recommend others buying Sigma brushes separately or as in a set? Do you think every single brush from the kit are worth it? i'm sooo tempted to buy the Sigma brushes!

Getting the full set is the most bang for your buck if you need a full set of brushes, but there are of course certain brushes that I like better from other brands. For instance, Sephora Professionals powder brush is softer than the Sigma one and Sonia Kashuk's blending brush is shorter and has better control than the Sigma one, but I usually mix and match just a few other brushes with a main core set from 1 company. It's just easier to manage that way! :)

Thanks for the detailed reply!!! I have BB's eyeliner and eyeshadow brushes and actually have the Sephora's powder brush.. YES! saves me some money. hahaI guess im only one click away from buying the sigma synthetic brush set :-)Thanks again Jen! <3

You can absolutely put bronzer on your neck too! Just make sure it's blended downward well. It can all depend on your own jaw/neck shape and how much natural shadow you have there so feel free to experiment and modify exactly where the bronzer ends to work best for you! :)

Hey Jen! Love your tutorials!My problem is that my nose is uneven.. I have a deviated septum (not sure if that is the proper translation) and my nose is sided to the left. Can you teach how to camouflage that? Can you also recommend a more affordable product? Thank you!

Hey Jen~~ Question, do you suggest to do any contouring for bridal make up? I saw your bridal makeup tutorial but I didn't see you did any contouring. I did a makeup trial last week and the makeup looked so flat...I didn't know why until I came across this video!!! Please help!! ~>_<~

Since contouring is to achieve the look of a high-bridged nose, you may not need to contour much! Just look at the overall shape of the nose and see where it can be straightened when you look at the bridge straight on and add color just to those areas. :)

I love your look in this video, can you please make a tutorial for the naked basics palette? :D would mean so much to me :) anyway thank you for being an inspiration for all asian girls out here :) xoxo

Hi Jen,When applying makeup, do you suggest people to apply makeup in a bright room, medium, or dark room? My room is medium light and I just notice that when it's out in different places, my makeup is really bad. Help.

Since contouring is to achieve the look of a high-bridged nose. I see where it can be straightened when you look at the bridge straight on and add color just to those areas. I like to see how you used the basic palette.

Hey Jen Have you done a tutorial with the look you have on your eyes? I did a search but couldn't find one. Ps - I'm going to Korea in April. I'm going to stock up on BB cream but is there anything else you'd recommend?

Hi Jen. I enjoyed ur tutorial. I wanted to buy the urban decay flush bronzer palette but was wondering which shade I was supposed to get. It has some shimmer in the description. I thought it was a matte bronzer so I'm hesitating to order it. Pls let me know. Thanks

About me

Hi, I'm Jen! I've been blogging and making youtube videos since 2008 and have loved encouraging others to feel beautiful in their own skin ever since. I hope you enjoy my beauty tips and reviews, style inspiration, and a bit of my life as a wife and mother!